Kaylan Rumbo on for Jared Buhagiar
Naufal El Andalussi on for Aymen Mouelhi

United’s line up reflects the number of players missing through injury and suspension. Chino is in the second of his three match ban, Erin and Robert miss out for misdemeanours against Glacis United. This means that Wink remains in goal and both Jared and Jesse maintain thier berths. The defence sees the return of Jason Pusey from injury, a timely reinforcement as Jason has been in top form off late. Elsewhere Max Bothen makes his first start of the season hoping to feed off scraps in what is sure to be a Manolo rearguard classic against the early pace setters of Europa FC.

Gibraltar United team with Bosio as Captain.

Disaster struck before a ball was kicked with Ashley Perez having to deputise in goal for Dani Wink after he suffered an injury in the warm up. With Chino suspended, Oton injured Dani was the only fit keeper. Ashley was emulating his brother and stepped into the breach. He performed admirably but against a team of Europa’s quality there was little he could do about the goals, which included a Walker penalty.

United were able to keep the second half to 0-0 but the damage had been done in a rain swept first half that began with the echoes of rolling thunder across the heavens. Next week we face Europa Point FC with both Barnett and Montovio available for selection after serving one match bans in this fixture.

Kayln Rumbo on for Anthony Hernandez
Evan Green on for Paul Podesta
Jamie Currer on for Jared Buhagiar

No more internationals until March which means that games will come thick and fast from now on. Suspensions and injuries have meant a number of changes in the line up. Brad and Jason are injured while Chino starts his ban after his moment of madness versus Lions. This means debuts for Dani Wink in goal and Jesse Victory in defence. Jared also makes his first appearance of the season at left back in the absence of Ashley Perez. Paul Podesta also makes his start and is hoping to add more fire power up front alongside Robert. Aymen drops into his natural position at centre half and Pishu fills in at right back.

United started the game spiritedly enough showing attacking intent and moving the ball forwards quickly and sharply. Both Hernandez brothers were looking eager for the ball and initially looked to take the game to the Glacis full back. Indeed Gib Utd were the dominant team in the first 10 minutes with Podesta’s physical presence winning the aerial battle against the Galcis defence. However no real breakthrough was forthcoming and Robert had little to feed on up front. Pishu had a great chance to drill in a shot with the keepr off sighted but opted to centre the ball which was then cleared by the claret defenders.

Glacis gradually came into the game that soon descended into a pitched battle in midfield. It is in these environments that Jamie Bosio comes into his own as he clearly relishes the physical battle. He, and Rodriguez, put themselves about and ensured that the Glacis midfield created little. In all honestly both teams were evenly matched in midfield and other than a tame shot from afar debutant Wink in the Red and White goal had little to do. Glacis’ breakthrough came from a mistake by Hernandez in midfield. He lost posession and a quick ball wide left Victory wrong footed. The resulting cross found Carrasco in space to easily find the net giving Glacis an undeserved lead as both teams had done little to deserve the lead.

It was an unfortunate slip by Victory which then went off to have a blinder of a match. The young signing from Man 62 was making his debut and took his chance with both hands giving a commanding display in the air and a confident showing with the ball at his feet. He was also not afraid to go in for the challenge when needed and proved to be an able partner for Pishu on the right side of our defence. He impressed supporters in the stands and the manager would have surely taken note of such a composed and disciplined performance from one so young.

As the game dragged on United found themselves in pletny of possession but creating little. A toothless Rodriguez shot was easily claimed by Borja in the Claret goal and Glacis themselves were creating little. The first half was trudging to an end when another individual mistake gifted Carrasco a second goal. Again it came against the run of play when United were actively looking for the equaliser.

Rumbo replaced Hernandez at half time as Manolo sought to look for a spark to turn around the game. With Evan Green also coming in for Podesta he was looking for pace to out fox the Glacis defence. Chances were even fewer in the second half but Dani Wink had the opportunity to show his worth by pulling off a great save from Manuel Llaves that was subsequently and spectacularly headed off the line by Erin Barnett. The latter however was to soon get his marching orders after seeing a second yellow card. United once again finishing a match with 10 on the pitch.

The refereeing left a lot to be desired as Mr Borg was largely taken in by the play acting and blatant diving from the Glacis United players; it was rampant and endemic and it stopped the game from flowing as a spectacle of football. Indeed it makes for a sad showing and does not augur well for the development of the local game. Yet fair play to the officials for not letting a difficult game get totally out of their hands.

United had shown more attacking intent than of late and had been undone by individual errors. There was enough to show that we do indeed have strength in depth and the ability to go for matches. With Europa FC next up the challenges keep on coming thick and fast.

Kaylan Rumbo on for Erin Barnett
Paul Podesta on for Ashley Perez
Tyron Oton on for Jamie Currer

United face Lions in the Battle of the Locals. The Oranges have seen a total squad overhaul over the summer months seeing a massive influx of local players as they ditched the vast majority of their non local contingent. Both clubs have had a mixed start to the season and United are seeking to add to Lions’ woes by winning their second match of the season after defeating Lynx last time out. Kaylan Rumbo, who left the pitch at half time with an injury in said match, drops to the bench and the suspended Brad Power returns to the first XI. Erin shifts to right back while Jamie Currer comes into midfield replacing Pishu Hernandez. Ashley, Erin and Aymen all line up against their former team.

In what is becoming a frustratingly common sight for United supporters Manolo Nuñez once again lined up with as many defenders as he possibly could in his 5-3-2 system. Aymen was once again in midfiled and Currer at right back after the unsuccessful deployment as left back of late. A sound tactic against a Lincoln or a Europa but fans are entitled to see their team go for a Lions team that was there for the taking after a slow start to the season. As it was the lack of attacking intent on the pitch meant the match was a turgid and boring affair with neither team creating much.

Referee, Mr Canepa, was guilty of several mistakes in his decision making something both teams suffered from. Indeed a stonewall penalty appeal by a push on Paul Podesta in the area was waved away from the referee. The reaction of the Lions defender said it all as he sheepishly looked mightly relieved the referee had let him off the hook. The referee however did it get it right in the match’s most controversial point. Lions forward Nathan Santos bore down on Chino in a rare second half forray for the Oranges, a clash for the ball resulted in Chino getting hit on the head. Santos then insulted the keeper who was rolling around the floor in pain. Chino subsequently kicked out at Santos while the latter decided to pick a fight with Bosio. After the dust had settled Mr Canepa was left with no choice but to send both Santos and Chino off with 10 minutes remaining. Young Tyron ‘Tiger’ Oton made his debut in rather difficult circumstances stepping into the shoes of his illustrious grandfather.

The match only brought one United shot on target from Mouehli which resulted in Barnfather pulling off a tremendous save and several corners none of which really casued much havoc. Lions has no attempts at goal and Chino was largely a spectator until thrust upon the centre of the stage in his sending off.

United were once again poor in attack and with so many defensive minded players on the pitch this is not entirely surprising. It left a very bad taste in the mouth to see such a unambitious appraoch to the match against a team that should have been beaten. Shout out to Jason Pusey who put in a Man of the Match peformance and at all times tried to push the team forward and attack.

We now break off for the Internationl break and wish the 8 players called up the very best of luck.